Department of Public Safety

At a Glance

LEONARD C. BOYLE, Commissioner

Colonel Edward J. Lynch, Deputy Commissioner

Established – 1903 as the Connecticut State Police Department (The Department of Public Safety was

established in 1977 by PA 77-614)

Statutory authority – CGS Sec. 29-1b

Central office - 1111 Country Club Road,

Middletown, CT 06457-2389

Number of employees - 1,731, including 1,226 Troopers and 505 civilians

Recurring operating expenses - $163 million

Organizational structure – Office of the Commissioner; Division of State Police; Division of Fire, Emergency & Building Services; Division of Scientific Services.

Mission

“The Connecticut Department of Public Safety is committed to protecting and improving the quality of life for all by providing enforcement, regulatory, and scientific services through prevention, education, and innovative use of technology.”

In striving to accomplish our mission, we embody our core values with great PRIDE.

PROFESSIONALISM through an elite and diverse team of trained men and women.

RESPECT for ourselves and others through our words and actions.

INTEGRITY through adherence to standards and values that foster public trust.

DEDICATION to service.

EQUALITY through fair and unprejudiced application of the law.

Statutory Responsibility

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) consists of three divisions: the Division of State Police, the Division of Fire, Emergency, and Building Services, and the Division of Scientific Services. The Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, Leonard C. Boyle, as Chief Executive Officer, State Fire Marshal, and a member of the State Traffic Commission, is assisted by three Division heads and the following units and functions: Chief of Staff, Public Information Office, Legislative Liaison, Legal Affairs Unit, Equal Opportunity Employment Compliance Unit, and the Bureau of Management Support.

The Bureau of Management Support, under the direction of Chief Fiscal Administrative Officer Michael R. Wambolt, comprises Fiscal Services, Human Resources, and Employee Safety / OSHA. Fiscal Services is responsible for the preparation, management and expenditure of the agency’s $163 million operating budget, as well as, processing expenditures from the $5 million capital budget, $100 million of state and federal grants, and $5 million of other funded programs. The units constituting Fiscal Services include: Purchasing, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, General Accounting, the Quartermaster and Inventory Control. In FY 05, the unit processed over 5,000 purchase orders and paid over 15,000 invoices. The agency’s inventory is valued at approximately $150 million. Human Resources provides a uniform and equitable system of personnel administration for the agency’s 1,738 employees who are members of seven labor unions, and also administers the agency’s Workers’ Compensation program. The agency’s safety officer conducts comprehensive occupational safety inspections of the department facilities to ensure compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and works to reduce employee injuries and Workers’ Compensation costs.

CONNECTICUT STATE POLICE

The Division of State Police is under the direction of Colonel Edward J. Lynch and consists of approximately 1,226 sworn troopers and approximately 505 civilian personnel. It is considered the oldest state police division in the nation. With ever-increasing responsibilities, our Troopers and support staff have risen to the challenge securing the safety and preserving the quality of life we all enjoy as citizens of this great State.

The Division is divided into two components: the Office of Field Operations, which provides direct law enforcement services to the citizens of the state, and the Office of Administrative Services, which provides logistical support while maintaining several registries and licensing bureaus. Additionally, it provides training for all Connecticut State Troopers.

The Division looks forward to equipping and upgrading the patrol force with laptop computers that have the capability to complete all field reporting from patrol vehicles and garner the ability to access the various databases to perform everyday duties. The Division and its employees are committed to ensuring the safety of all members of the Department. In the summer of 2005, a risk management unit was established. This unit’s primary responsibility is to identify and reduce work place hazards.

The Connecticut State Police is steadfast in its commitment to provide the best possible law enforcement services to the State of Connecticut. The division looks forward to meeting the many unique challenges in serving the State of Connecticut.

The Connecticut State Police received initial accreditation status through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) in 1988. This accreditation demonstrates the agency’s compliance with the most stringent of administrative and operational standards. These standards are recognized and accepted both nationally and internationally. The Connecticut State Police remain one of the larger CALEA accredited agencies. This agency is about to once again partake in the reaccredidation process in December.

OFFICE OF FIELD OPERATIONS

The Office of Field Operations, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Vincent E. McSweeney, is responsible for the delivery of police services statewide through three geographical districts (including a total of 12 Troops), three Major Crime Squads, the Traffic Services Unit, the Emergency Services Unit, the Bureau of Criminal Investigations and the Office of Domestic Terrorism.

During 2005, there were 455,254 calls for service, including 22,861 criminal and 34,048 traffic accident investigations. Troopers issued 165,905 summonses for violations of motor vehicle laws.

In April 2006, the Office of Field Operations, along with the Office of Domestic Terrorism, the Traffic Services Unit, and the Emergency Services Unit, participated in a Homeland Security exercise in connection with the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) of critical medical items. The mission of the Office of Field Operations was to provide security and escorts for the SNS upon its entry into Connecticut.

The Office of Field Operations also continues to participate in the development of statewide mass evacuation plans that would be implemented in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor. These plans include the contra-flow of traffic on selected highways to facilitate the expeditious evacuation of Connecticut residents.

The Traffic Services Unit (TSU) is responsible for the administration of all specialized traffic enforcement activities statewide and provides traffic-related services to State Police Troops and municipal police agencies upon request. The TSU continued its participation in the joint-agency (DPS and DMV) Following Too Closely enforcement initiative, announced in May 2005. Since its inception, over 11,000 citations have been issued, including over 2,500 for following too closely violations. Driving Under the Influence enforcement continues to be a significant agency focus. During the fiscal year, the TSU sought and obtained a highway safety grant from Connecticut DOT to support the purchase and acquisition of a DUI Mobile Enforcement Support Vehicle, which will allow troopers to conduct breath alcohol testing of arrested operators at sobriety checkpoint locations. In September 2005, the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad (CARS) was formed as a sub-component of TSU. This squad provides full-time collision analysis and reconstruction services to State Police commands and municipal police agencies upon request.

OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

The Office of Administrative Services, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Cheryl A. Malloy, is divided into two bureaus, the Bureau of Technology and Telecommunications Resources, and the Bureau of Training and Support Services, as well as, the Infrastructure Planning and Facilities Management Section.

The Office of Administrative Services provides training, planning, and support duties to the agency through a wide array of commands comprising each bureau; including the State Police Training Academy, Selections and Investigative Support, Support Services, Crimes Analysis, COMPSTAT, Grants Administration, Community Policing, Fleet Administration, Field Technology, DPS Communications Center, Criminal Justice Information Services, Bond Management and Capitol Improvement.

DIVISION OF FIRE, EMERGENCY, AND BUILDING SERVICES

The Division of Fire, Emergency, and Building Services (“DFEBS”), under the command of Division Executive Director Wayne H. Maheu, comprises the Office of Education and Data Management, the Office of Statewide Emergency Telecommunications, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and the Office of the State Building Inspector.

DFEBS has responsibility for a range of non-police related public safety matters as well. Those duties include; administering the state fire safety code to ensure that fire will not take a life in our place of work or recreation, assuring the safety of children riding carnival rides, assuring assistance when our citizens and visitors dial “9-1-1” for help, overseeing the construction of college dormitories to ensure the safety of the residents, the inspection of the elevators throughout the state, inspecting the boilers that heat and power our state, and training local officials to perform their public safety responsibilities. The members of the Division of Fire, Emergency and Building Services are committed to professionalism in the preservation of life and property.

DIVISION OF SCIENTIFIC SERVICES

The Division of Scientific Services is composed of the Forensic Science Laboratory, the Controlled Substances/ Toxicology Laboratory, and the Computer Crimes and Electronic Evidence Laboratory. During 2005, the Forensic Science Laboratory received approximately 9,000 requests for analysis or other laboratory services related to criminal cases. Additionally, the Controlled Substances and Toxicology Laboratory received approximately 6,000 cases for analysis. The Computer Crimes and Electronic Evidence Laboratory experienced a five percent increase in the number of cases received.

Funding has been approved for Phase III of the Division of Scientific Services to be built in Meriden. This phase of construction will add an additional 25,000 square feet to the existing Forensic Laboratory and house the Toxicology and Controlled Substance Laboratory, as well as, Mitochondrial DNA, and part of the Computer Crimes and Electronic Evidence Laboratory.

The Forensic Laboratory was recently inspected by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors – Laboratory Accreditation Board as part of the reaccredidation process. The division anticipates approval for reaccredidation in late 2006. The Computer Crimes and Electronic Evidence Laboratory and the Toxicology/Controlled Substances Laboratory are preparing for initial accreditation in late 2006.

The Forensic Laboratory is phasing in a turnaround time of 60 days for evidence examination whenever possible. During this phase-in period, examiners are continuing to work on the reduction of the existing Laboratory backlog.

Public Service/Improvements/Achievements 2005-06

1. In the last year the outstanding work of the members of the Division of Scientific Services has been honored in the form of awards, departmental unit citations, as well as recognition from the FBI and the administrators of the computerized ballistics database. Additionally, numerous letters of commendation from the departments served have been received at the Division.

2. The Laboratory has enjoyed high success rates with state-of-the-art database capabilities in place at the facility:

o The original Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) in the Latent Print Section was upgraded by the installation of the COGENT™ system for fingerprint and palm print searches. Over 6,000 prints were sent for searching with 522 searches resulting in “hits.” In addition, the Latent Print Section recently solved a 2001 cold case from Stratford with ongoing examination efforts using palm print evidence.

o The National Integrated Ballistics Identification Network (NIBIN) continues to aid in numerous criminal investigations. Approximately 3,000 pieces of evidence/destruction test fires have been entered into the system this year. A total of 700 cold hits have occurred through the use of this database. In addition, it has been shown that 15 of the recent Hartford shootings are linked to one particular weapon, and nine shootings to another weapon. Although the shooters have yet to be located, this is clearly a vital piece of information for investigators.

o The Combined DNA Indexing System (CODIS) convicted offenders DNA database has added approximately 15,000 new searchable profiles during the year. The expansion has resulted in 140 hits to cases that originally did not have suspects. Most notably, the suspect in a high profile homicide was linked to an unsolved home invasion and sexual assault that took place two years prior. The DNA Unit also assisted police agencies in Florida to provide forensic evidence in the arrest of a suspect in a ten-year-old unsolved rape and murder of a young girl.

3. The Forensic Biology Section has continued to carry one of the highest per examiner caseloads in the Laboratory. Prior to being examined by other Laboratory sections, all sexual assault kits and most homicide cases are examined in this section.

4. The DNA Unit was assigned to work with the “Innocence Project” regarding an inmate serving a life sentence for rape. The unit’s re-examination of the evidence and use of new DNA techniques was vital in demonstrating that probative biological material did not originate from the inmate. The inmate was immediately released after serving 18 years and was granted a new trial based mainly on laboratory findings.

5. The diligent work of the Chemistry Section of the Laboratory was instrumental in the apprehension of a suspect in a series of explosions that took place in the Southwest region of the state in early 2006. Not only were the examiners able to link the cases, they were also able to provide vital information for investigators executing a search warrant of the suspect’s residence.

6. Trooper Jim Smith of the Computer Crimes and Electronic Evidence Laboratory has received a National Recognition award from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for his tireless work in the investigation of cases of child exploitation. The Computer Crimes and Electronic Evidence Laboratory conducted 174 investigations in conjunction with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in 2005.

7. The CAD-RMS Unit is in the process of implementing a new Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), Records Management System (RMS), and Mobile System. This project involves outfitting over 825 patrol, Resident Trooper, and supervisor vehicles with Mobile Data Terminals, and new Cingular wireless modems. Personnel will be able to access COLLECT directly from their vehicles and this system also allows personnel to complete reports from their vehicles and send them wirelessly to their supervisor for approval. The first phase of was completed in July 2006.

8. The Connecticut Telecommunications Unit (CTS) is in the process of installing 800 Mhz radio equipment to an existing DPS tower site in Westport. This installation will enhance coverage of the 800 Mhz radio system along the I-95corridor. This project also provided expanded ITAC/ICALL interoperability coverage to the Bridgeport, Westport, and Greenwich areas. We anticipate completion during the summer of 2006.

9. The Connecticut Telecommunications Unit (CTS) also is in the process of upgrading the 800 Mhz radio system to a new platform that will allow for greater expandability of the system. This upgrade to the 4.1 Motorola platform enables DPS to ensure that our system will be expandable for future technological advances. This project is part of a $5.7 Million State bonding allocation that also includes a new 800 Mhz radio tower site, which is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2007.

10. The agency has begun a computer generated statistical analysis (COMPSTAT) of all activities to effectively deploy personnel and resources to combat criminal activity and to those areas where a high concentration of accidents has occurred. This COMPSTAT initiative is modeled after that of the New York City Police Department and was implemented in all 12-field troops in early 2006. District and Troop Commanders make periodic presentations to senior agency command staff on the state of criminal and accident investigation activity and strategic efforts in their respective areas to address public safety issues.

11. The Office of Statewide Emergency Telecommunications initiated a request for information process for call handling software for Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs). The process will be used to develop requests for proposals (RFP) for the replacement of the enhanced 9-1-1 call handling software platform at each of the 107 PSAPs to maintain a state of the art 9-1-1 call processing system. The statewide street center line map update process is a continual process to ensure the map information is correct for the 169 towns and cities in Connecticut to allow for the Enhanced 9-1-1 system to locate wireless 9-1-1 callers. The recommendation of the PSAP funding study has resulted in the passage of regulations to create increase-funding levels to regional communications centers in cities with populations greater than 40,000 with two dedicated town PSAPs. Additionally, a training fund for all PSAPs to subsidize telecommunicator-training expenses and to create a capitol expense fund for eligible city and regional PSAPs has been created. Public service announcements regarding 9-1-1 are being developed for airing on television and radio during calendar year 2006. Revisions to the public safety telecommunicator-training program are in progress and are expected to be in place in 2006.

12. In the fall of 2005, after published reports of fire and building code violations at UCONN, the State Fire Marshal and State Building Inspector were ordered to inspect all buildings built under the UCONN 2000 building project. This assignment is ongoing.

13. In July 2005, the Office of Education and Data Management (OEDM) implemented the new legislation requiring licensed assistant building officials and sub-code officials to complete continuing education requirements in order to retain their license. The sub-code officials include: electrical, plumbing, mechanical, heating/cooling, construction inspectors; residential building inspectors and plan review technicians. Approximately 560 sub-code officials were photographed and issued a continuing education tracking card. OEDM coordinated the development and publishing of the Connecticut Fire Safety Code Guidebook in accordance with the adoption of the new Connecticut Fire Safety Code. OEDM distributed the guidebook to 203 local fire marshals in January 2006.

14. The Office of Domestic Terrorism - Operations, Prevention and Response - has continued to act as the liaison with the federal Department of Homeland Security. The Division has worked with all local, state, and federal agencies in a continued effort to foster and maintain partnerships that will provide the best unified approach to the prevention, mitigation, and management of natural or manmade incidents that threaten the quality of life enjoyed by the citizens of the State of Connecticut. On January 1, 2005, the Division of Homeland Security and the Department of Emergency Management combined to form the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS). The law enforcement component of the Office of Domestic Terrorism currently consists of members of the Connecticut State Police working under a Memorandum of Understanding. The collaboration of the two agencies (DPS and DEMHS) will help to ensure a comprehensive approach to all law enforcement aspects of public safety.

15. The Critical Infrastructure Unit has been working in conjunction with the federal Department of Homeland Security, private industry, and local municipalities to develop the Buffer Zone Protection Program (BZPP) in an effort to improve physical security at sites deemed “critical” within the State of Connecticut by the federal Department of Homeland Security. The first phase of the BZPP has been completed and it is anticipated that additional sites will be identified in the near future. The unit has worked in collaboration with the Emergency Service Unit in the security assessments of DPS Headquarters and the Connecticut Transit Bus depots. In conjunction with CONN-DOT, a physical security assessment of all freight/short line rail facilities within Connecticut was conducted. The unit spearheaded a mass transit security project that will phase in video surveillance cameras within the passenger rail operations within Connecticut.

16. The Statewide Anti-Terrorism Task Force has co-located with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) in an effort to streamline investigations and respond to terrorism-related allegations and incidents. Most recently, the JTTF has separated into two distinct components identified as Domestic Terrorism investigations and International Terrorism investigations, with State Police personnel assigned to each component.

17. The Connecticut Intelligence Center (CTIC) has been developed as a regional intelligence center that collaborates with local, state and tribal entities, bordering agencies, and federal agencies. CTIC works closely with the FBI’s Field Intelligence Group (FIG) in New Haven. In practice, CTIC functions as a clearinghouse to ensure that all criminal and terrorism-related information is gathered, analyzed, and shared efficiently with law enforcement, homeland security entities and officials; along with identifying emerging threats or crime trends. Part of its mission is to develop reporting procedures to decrease duplication among various agencies. Five Regional Intelligence Liaison Officers (RILO) have been identified and assigned to the CTIC from each of the five Connecticut Chiefs of Police regions, as well as representatives from the State Police, FBI, Coast Guard and CT Department of Correction. RILOs liaison with local agencies within their region to monitor, gather and disseminate intelligence. CTIC is currently working to include intelligence sharing with all first responder agencies, as well as public and private entities.

18. The Statewide Anti–Terrorism Training component continues to train state and local law enforcement officers in the area of Suicide Bomber and State and Local Anti-Terrorism Training (SLATT) and has trained approximately 5,000 officers to date. “Operation Safeguard,” a terrorism awareness-training program, is also provided for private security entities with over 600 trained to date. A Terrorism Liaison Officer Program (TLO) has been initiated to identify and train liaison officers within each agency to improve the overall sharing of terrorism and crime related information statewide.

19. The Connecticut Urban Search and Rescue Task Force (CT-TF1) is a multi-discipline group of over 150 emergency medical technicians, firefighters, paramedics, and police officers that represent municipal, state, and private industry emergency response organizations from all corners of the State of Connecticut. Members of the team are highly trained specialists that are capable of locating and rescuing victims that are entrapped in confined spaces that exceed the capabilities of the local response effort. The concept of operation is that this self-sufficient team provides the local Incident Commander with a multi-discipline resource that supports responders in accomplishing their technical rescue incident objectives.